At the bottom no one in life can help anyone else in life; this one experiences over and over in every conflict and every perplexity: that one is alone. That isn't as bad as it may first appear; and again it is the best thing in life that each should have everything in himself; his fate, his future, his whole expanse and world.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the solitary nature of human existence and the importance of self-reliance.
Rainer Maria Rilke emphasizes that each individual faces their own struggles alone, which can initially seem daunting but ultimately empowers one to take control of their own life. This solitude is not negative; rather, it allows each person to cultivate their own destiny and understand their place in the world, highlighting the value of internal strength and personal responsibility.
In practice
This quote could be shared during a personal development seminar to illustrate the importance of self-discovery.
Spring has again returned. _x000D_ _x000D_ The Earth is like a child that knows many poems._x000D_ _x000D_ Many, O so many. For the hardship_x000D_ _x000D_ of such long learning she receives the prize._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Strict was her teacher. _x000D_ _x000D_ The white in the old man's beard pleases us._x000D_ _x000D_ Now, what to call green, to call blue,_x000D_ _x000D_ we dare to ask: She knows, She knows!
Verses are not, as people think, feelings (those one has early enough) -- they are experiences. For the sake of a verse one must see many cities, men, and things, one must know the animals feel how birds fly, and know the gesture with which the little flowers open in the morning.
a good marriage is that in which each appoints the other guardian of his solitude
He reproduced himself with so much humble objectivity, with the unquestioning, matter of fact interest of a dog who sees himself in a mirror and thinks: there's another dog.
The only journey is the one within.
And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been
Thoughtfulness is the way to deathlessness, thoughtlessness the way to death. The thoughtful do not die: the thoughtless are as if dead already.
When a man wants to murder a tiger he calls it sport; when a tiger wants to murder him he calls it ferocity.
The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases.
I love to doubt as well as know.
Death never takes the wise man by surprise, he is always ready to go.
Commonplace people dislike tragedy because they dare not suffer and cannot exult.
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